US silicon metal producer Globe Metallurgical has asked the US Department of Commerce to reimpose antidumping duties on silicon metal by Brazilian producer RIMA Industrial.

The antidumping duty order was revoked for RIMA in a company-specific example, effective July 1, 2001, based on findings that RIMA had not dumped for three consecutive years.

To qualify for revocation, RIMA agreed to immediate reinstatement of the order if Commerce found that it had resumed dumping after the order was revoked, Globe Metallurgical said in a statement.

William Kramer, an attorney for Globe, said that Globe had submitted a 216-page investigation to Commerce, highlighting examples of what it claimed were dumping by RIMA in both domestic and US markets between January 2006 and May 2006.

Commerce has 45 days, or until August 11, to decide whether to initiate the requested proceeding, from when the request was presented on July 28.

In addition to submitting evidence of resumed dumping by RIMA, Globe also said its request alleges that RIMA "improperly failed to inform the department that it had an affiliated sales agent in the United States (Polymet Alloys) during the years it was found not to be dumping."

Under an antidumping order on silicon metal from Brazil, importers areobliged to pay antidumping duties at rates determined by the Commerce. Globe's request alleges that RIMA had resumed dumping at rates ranging as high as 43.22%.

Efforts by Platts to contact RIMA officials for comment have so far been unsuccessful.

RIMA is one of the largest producers of metal- and chemical-grade silicon in Brazil. It is also a major producer of ferrosilicon and manganese alloys.

Globe Metallurgical is the largest producer of silicon metal in the US.